Stars still game for world record bid

Mark Cox and Jane McCarry, better known as Tam and Isa on hit TV show ‘Still Game’, are backing the Golden Jubilee National Hospital’s #Heart25 Campaign.

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of heart transplantation in Scotland, #Heart25 aims to set the Guinness World Record for the “largest online photo album of people making a heart shaped hand gesture”.

The purpose of the campaign is to not only raise awareness of the difficulties faced by those living with heart failure, but also to encourage donations to help find new and innovative ways to support and treat patients with the condition.

Mark said: “I’m delighted to support the #Heart25 Campaign, celebrating 25 years of heart transplantation in Scotland.

“While there have been some incredible advancements in treatment and technology for these patients, there is still no cure for heart failure other than a heart transplant.

“Every penny raised from #Heart25 will be used by the team at the Golden Jubilee to improve each patient’s quality of life and find new ways to treat advanced heart failure in Scotland.”

The Golden Jubilee National Hospital is the home of the Scottish National Advanced Heart Failure Service and is the only site in Scotland to carry out heart transplantation, caring for patients and their families from across the country.

Dedicated to leading quality, research and innovation on behalf of the NHS in Scotland, the hospital’s specialist team carries out complex, life-changing procedures, on a daily basis and have a strong track record in finding new, pioneering treatments for their patients.

Jane added: “Over the last 25 years, more than 350 heart transplants have been carried out in Scotland, helping change hundreds of lives around the country, but the team at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital need your support so they can continue to improve the lives of more families than ever before.”

Jill Young, hospital chief executive, said that heart failure affects around 45,000 people in Scotland and advanced heart failure is invariably fatal with transplantation as its only cure.

She continued: “Our team supports not only those suffering from advanced heart failure, but helps their family, friends and loved ones cope with some of the most difficult times in their lives.

“We are committed to not only helping more people survive heart failure, but supporting them to have the best quality of life possible. Please, help us celebrate 25 years of heart transplantation by breaking the Guinness World Record and donating to our service, allowing us to find new ways to help more patients across Scotland than ever before.”

To take part, and help break the world record, supporter should put their hands together in the shape of a heart and get someone to take their picture; share the photo using #Heart25 on Facebook: @NHSGoldenJubilee, Twitter: @JubileeHospital and tag friends and family to encourage them to take part. Donation of £1 to support the hospital’s service can be made at www.JustGiving.com/GoldenJubilee-NationalHospital